http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.stpeter.org.nz en-us Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:31:19 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/169685/views-from-the-pews-earth-heaven-and-the-thin-places-between/  Sometimes the world feels closer to heaven than usual —and grace becomes easier to experience.These thin veil moments come without announcement — a stillness, a shimmer, a quiet awareness that God is near. And in that nearness, grace becomes something we don’t merely recognise but actually receive.In both Māori and Celtic ways of seeing, such moments are part of the world’s natural rhythm. The land itself carries memory — whenua and earth holding stories older than we are, remin... Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post169685 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/169340/views-from-the-pews-one-long-goodbye/ Last week Sir Anthony Hopkins said:“From the moment we're born, we say goodbye to childhood, we say goodbye to adolescence, and eventually we say goodbye altogether. At the end of it all is hello, my love, and goodbye, my love. And that's the theme of life, that nothing is permanent. It doesn't make one miserable. In fact, it's a kind of solace because there's nothing I can do about it. I'm here. And one day I will not be here.”I am interested in Hopkins’ phrase that ‘nothing is permanen... Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post169340 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/168965/from-the-cathedral-choir-gabriella-schuitemaker/ The first time Gabriella Schuitemaker sang the solo Once in Royal David's City, it was, in her words, both exciting and nerve-racking. It is a moment she still treasures, one of many from nearly 13 years in St Peter's Cathedral Choir.... Sun, 23 Aug 2026 14:55:44 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post168965 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/168932/views-from-the-pews-a-consecrated-life/ “Take my silver and my gold, Not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and useEvery power as Thou shalt choose.”Verse 4 of Frances Ridley Havergal’s hymn above beautifully reflects the guidance in God’s word about how we are to live.  The words express a desire to consecrate one’s possessions and abilities to God, to be used by Him as He chooses. The last chapter of a very tiny, old book on my bookshelf is titled “How should we then live?” On Sundays we come to churc... Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post168932 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/168738/views-from-the-pews-extravagant-faith/ Matthew 15:21-28 tells a pivotal story of a person who is doubly marginal – she is a woman and a Gentile (Canaanite).The story has some beautiful moments. The woman comes to Jesus and appeals, “Have mercy on me Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” Her pleas annoy the disciples who urge him to send her away. Jesus seems to ignore the woman and instead he responds to the disciples with the clear limitation of his ministry goals: he was sent to Israel. Should he make an e... Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post168738 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/168480/st-peters-cathedral-announces-dame-malvina-major-music-centre/ Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter has officially announced that the first stage of its Strengthening and Restoration Programme, the Music Centre, will be named in honour of Dame Malvina Major. The Dame Malvina Major Music Centre recognises Dame Malvina’s extraordinary contribution to New Zealand’s musical and cultural life, her lifelong commitment to nurturing music and young musicians, and her support as an Appeal Patron for the Cathedral’s vision for the future.... Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:12:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post168480 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/168467/views-from-the-pews-grafted-into-christ/ Recently we moved house. Our pets and our honey bees in their hive moved home too. Soon after our move the honey bees’ apiarist visited, bearing a tiny golden peach tree he had beautifully grated onto sturdy rootstock. I marvelled at the strength of the stock, the smooth but evident graft, and the healthy, vibrant branches swelling with new spring buds. In John 15:1-17 Jesus describes our relationship with him and our heavenly Father using a planted vine analogy. “Remain in me, and I will re... Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post168467 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/168116/views-from-the-pews-the-touchstone/ ... Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post168116 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/167893/views-from-the-pews-patriot/ It’s time for another book review. ‘Patriot’ is a personal and political memoir written by the late Alexei Navalny, who died in mysterious circumstances while a prisoner of the Russian state in 2024. It is clear that the author sees himself as patriotic, but argues that true patriotism has a strictly moral - and self-denying - basis. Navalny believed in a Russia free of state-enabled crime where ordinary Russians were free to reach their own potential. He was a devoted family man, a husban... Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post167893 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/167676/views-from-the-pews-what-are-our-red-lines/ A parishioner asked for help in identifying what was distinctive in the New Zealand Anglican Church, what we were proudest of, and what we would say to others in order to encourage them to come and see what we do. This led to a discussion about change in the Church, how it is managed, and whether we had any red lines that would need defending at all costs. We both cited cases of parishes that suffered from ill-managed change, sometimes driven by newcomers who felt a God-given mission to effect c... Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post167676